No. 20 Buffs Tame Lions
BOULDER— No. 20 Colorado exploded for four-second half goals in the team's 6-0 shutout victory over Texas A&M University-Commerce on Thursday.
The Buffs were paced by two goals from Shyra James and Emerson Layne. James' goals extended her scoring streak to nine-straight matches and in the process passed former Buff Fran Munnelly (2005) for the longest point streak in CU history. Her first goal of the day also marked the 800th goal in program history.
"The team is very aware of everything," head coach Danny Sanchez said about James' streak. "I think they are more pleased with us scoring a goal. I think the cheers were just as loud for the other players that got goals. We're pleased for her [James], but we're pleased with our performance."
Lindsey Smith made her first career start, making three saves in the win. Thursday was CU's third shutout win of the season, but Smith is the only goalie to play all 90 minutes while holding the opposition scoreless.
"We felt that Lindsey has been performing well in training and deserved an opportunity," Sanchez added. "She played two years at Memphis without any playing time. I thought she was very good. She made three saves and they were difficult ones to deal with. She dealt with some corners and got the shutout."
Civana Kuhlmann started the onslaught with her fourth goal of the season, while Kayleigh Webb notched her first goal of the year to help the Buffs move to 4-0-1 on the season.
"This was a dangerous match," Sanchez added. "You have a team [Texas A&M Commerce] that's got everything to play for and nothing to lose and a very good coach in Ashely [Gordon]. Coming off an emotionally draining match [at BYU] on Monday, I thought we were slow out of the box. We weren't playing with rhythm. I was very pleased with the second half.
How it happened
Kuhlmann provided the eventual game-winner scoring in the 28th minute, converting on a penalty kick after an A&M Commerce handball.
Layne added to the lead right before the half in the 44th minute, getting an outstretched foot on the ball played inside the box from Jayden Newkirk and Rachel Rosen.
Colorado got off to a quick start in the second half, adding to the lead in the 47th minute. Webb smashed home a header from Kuhlmann.
"I've been talking to my teammates and they're like, 'it's coming,'" Webb said. "I like to think of myself as an unselfish player. I look to pass the ball in the final third more than take my own shots. I was happy to finally get one for myself."
James tallied her team-leading sixth and seventh goals of the season in the 58th and 66th minutes. Layne added her second of the day to cap the afternoon in the 78th minute.
"The biggest thing for this team right now is our mentality," Webb continued. "Get the ball forward, play on the front foot. I think in the past it's been a little conservative and just trying to keep possession, but this team is really trying to go after it."
Colorado totaled 24 shots in the second half and outshot the Lions 38-6.
"I think we just had a higher intensity in the second half," Layne offered up. "We knew what we had to do and we just got it done."
Up Next
Colorado will continue at home on Sunday, hosting Omaha at Prentup Field (1 p.m. MT).
Notes
Colorado's 38 shots were the most since posting 39 in a 1-0 win over Alabama on Sept. 6, 2013…CU's 21 goals through five games are the most to start a season…James tied Brie Hooks for 7th on CU's all-time goal-scoring list with 21 on her career…She also moves into eighth on CU's all-time points list with 44 career points (21 G, 3 A)...CU's six goals were the most since posting six in a win over Northern Colorado in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.